LAS VEGAS, USA: President Joe Biden resumed his campaign on Tuesday following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, emphasizing the need to calm divisive rhetoric while maintaining the importance of truth-telling.
Speaking at the NAACP convention in Las Vegas, Biden stressed that reducing political violence should encompass efforts to mitigate all forms of bloodshed, including police brutality and the banning of weapons like the AR-style rifle used in the attack on Trump.
Despite his calls for calmer discourse, Biden didn’t hold back in his criticism of Trump, highlighting the negative impact of Trump’s administration on Black Americans. He cited mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased unemployment during early lockdowns, and efforts to erase Black history as significant issues.
Biden’s message resonated with the NAACP audience, who frequently responded with chants of “Four more years!” The President’s focus was on reinforcing his administration’s support for Black voters, a crucial demographic for the Democratic Party. As part of his Nevada visit, Biden also planned to engage with Hispanic voters, another key constituency, through an interview with BET and an address to UnidosUS.
During his speech, Biden ridiculed Trump’s reference to “Black jobs” and used the opportunity to highlight his own administration’s achievements, including the appointment of Vice President Kamala Harris and Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Biden’s campaign trail appearance follows a challenging period, including a debate performance against Trump that raised concerns about his age and capability to win another term. Despite calls from within his party to consider stepping aside, Biden reiterated his belief in his ability to defeat Trump. He underscored his reliance on support from Black and Latino officials and aimed to demonstrate unity and strength in his appearances in Nevada.
The President acknowledged internal party unrest by referencing Harry S. Truman’s quote about needing a dog for a friend in Washington, expressing understanding of Truman’s sentiment after recent weeks. He also emphasized that wisdom comes with age.
Biden promised to focus on expanding voting rights during the first 100 days of a potential second term and reiterated his commitment to ending medical debt, working with states to significantly reduce outstanding bills.
The attempted assassination of Trump momentarily paused Biden’s criticism of his rival. However, Biden used the incident to call for Americans to reject political violence and for leaders to tone down incendiary rhetoric. In a subsequent interview, he admitted to making a mistake by suggesting he wanted to put a “bull’s-eye” on Trump but emphasized that Trump’s rhetoric was more harmful.
NAACP President Derrick Johnson emphasized the need for Black voters to hear solutions to pressing issues like inflation, education, and civil rights, rather than focusing on personalities or sound bites.
At an economic summit later in the day, Biden announced a $50 million federal grant to build 400 affordable housing units in Nevada, underscoring his efforts to address housing costs, a significant issue in the state. He also highlighted his administration’s actions to mitigate the effects of extreme heat on the workforce while continuing his critique of Trump’s stance on climate change.
Biden’s proposal to cap rent increases at 5 percent for tenants in large housing complexes requires congressional approval, which is unlikely with a Republican-controlled House. In contrast, Trump has floated new economic policies, including ending taxes on tips for service workers, gaining support from Nevada’s Democratic senators.
